The Jethro Tull Christmas Album

One of the most despised of pop music genres is the holiday album. Long the staple of acts past their prime, such discs usually consist of painfully rendered "classic" tunes. Yet, in 2003 Jethro Tull took the perhaps surprising leap into such a dangerous challenge.

If any rock band could really produce a good holiday album, it would be Jethro Tull. Over the years, Ian has written many holiday related songs, the most obvious being "A Christmas Story" and other songs with a very wintery feel (such as "Fire at Midnight" from "Songs from the Wood").

Thus, Tull re-recorded a few Tull "winter" tunes, added a few great new tracks (such as "Birthday Card at Christmas"), and then selected a few solid and not so worn out holiday melodies fitting the band's style. The result was amazing -- arguably a landmark work that became what a holiday album should be and one of Tull's most critically acclaimed works. All Music Guide™ raved"4 -stars...one of the most satisfying Tull releases in 25 years." Even the often critical Rolling Stone™ exclaimed the disc offered "tunes lilt with carol-esque abandon ...tracks that really sparkle."

In 2004, the disc was treated to a special USA limited release with a DVD bonus including tracks from the "Living in the Past" DVD: "My Sunday Feeling," "Jack in the Green," and "Life is a Long Song."